The funeral home often receives inquiries about cremation. If cremation is something that you have considered, then the following questions and answers may provide you and your family the satisfaction of knowing everything will be taken care of according to your wishes.

HOW ARE CREMATION FUNERALS DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL SERVICES?

A funeral service followed by cremation need not be different than a funeral service followed by ground burial. The funeral service can be elaborate or simple; it can be traditional or nontraditional. Today, arrangements are as individual as the persons for whom and by whom they are made. A ceremony may be personalized to reflect the life of the deceased and, thus, have special meaning to those present.

IS A CASKET REQUIRED?

Prior to cremation, crematories require that the body at least be enclosed in an acceptably rigid container. It should provide a proper covering for the body and meet reasonable standards of respect and dignity. Some crematories will accept metal caskets but most require that the casket or container be fashioned of a combustible material. The body is cremated in the same enclosure in which it arrives at the crematory. After cremation, cremated remains are usually placed in some type of permanent receptacle, referred to as an urn, before being committed to a final resting place.

HOW DO COSTS OF CREMATION CAMPARE WITH BURIAL?

The basic charge for just cremation is somewhat less than traditional burial. However, with so many items of service available to the family both in the funeral service before and in the mode of disposition after, it's not possible to make an accurate comparison. The family has the option to select as much or as little as they choose and with cremation they have more options.

IS A FUNERAL DIRECTOR NECESSARY?

Some governmental jurisdictions require a licensed person to transport a body and to obtain the necessary permits. Funeral directors are among those so licensed and are the only one permitted to do so in some jurisdictions. Normally, the funeral director performs the same professional functions regarding cremations as in any other service.